You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. These are the words Jesus used in Matthew 513 14 to describe what his followers are to be like in the real world.

The real world is a world of.

Cancer, sick babies, aids and death.

The real world is a world of.

Mass shootings, break ins, riots and violence.

The real world is a world of.

Loneliness, depression, hardship and struggle.

The real world is a world of.

Mental anguish, physical pain, and questions about the goodness and love of God. The real world in which we live is not the ideal, perfect world that God created. It is the world that mankind and sin have made it to be. And what we have made it is anything but perfect and ideal. Yet even in such a world as this, Christ expects his followers to live as salt and light. That takes faith from the heart, not just from the head. Salt seasons, it cleanses and it preserves light, helps people see in the darkness so they don't stumble and fall down. Jesus followers are to do both. He sends us out into the real world, not with a know it all, holier than thou attitude and cozy little cliches, but as real examples of real faith lived in a real world. We don't have all the answers, far from it. But we know a God who does. It is our task and responsibility to introduce a hurting world to the healing savior. We do that by both what we say and by how we live. That doesn't mean that we ourselves will live with no worries or fears, sorrows, pains or troubles. We will face all of that just like every other human being does. The difference is how we respond to what we face. We trust God no matter what happens, rather than blame him when things don't go the way we think they should go. That is being salt and light, and that is what people will see in us. And that is exactly what Jesus expects us to be.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com. Have a great day and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.